Software Engineer, Upstart Bank

Summary

Upstart is an AI lending marketplace that partners with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology. The Software Engineer on the Upstart Bank team will design and build reliable backend systems, services, and APIs while partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable software in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and build scalable backend systems, services, and APIs supporting Upstart Bank initiatives
• Deliver well-designed software across medium-sized engineering projects while collaborating with senior engineers
• Translate business, operational, and regulatory requirements into reliable, maintainable software
• Improve system reliability, observability, performance, and operational excellence across backend services
• Contribute to technical design discussions and continuously improve engineering quality
• Partner closely with Product, Compliance, Legal, Risk, Finance, Operations, and Engineering to deliver high-quality software
• Uphold a high engineering bar through thoughtful implementation, testing, code review, and operational ownership
• Thrive in ambiguous environments while continuously growing technical ownership and engineering judgment

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
• 4+ years of backend or full-stack software engineering experience
• Experience building and operating production software systems
• Experience building scalable services, APIs, or web applications
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language such as Java, Kotlin, Python, Go, or similar
• Strong engineering fundamentals around software design, testing, debugging, and operational ownership
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, cross-functional environments
• Experience working in fintech, financial services, payments, or another regulated industry
• Experience with distributed systems, cloud-native architectures, Kafka, gRPC, or similar backend technologies
• Experience building reliable backend services, APIs, or platform software
• Experience modernizing existing systems or building new backend platforms
• Ability to collaborate effectively across Product, Compliance, Operations, and Engineering teams
• Curiosity, adaptability, and a desire to continuously learn new technologies and business domains

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
• 4+ years of backend or full-stack software engineering experience
• Experience building and operating production software systems
• Experience building scalable services, APIs, or web applications
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language such as Java, Kotlin, Python, Go, or similar
• Strong engineering fundamentals around software design, testing, debugging, and operational ownership
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, cross-functional environments

Nice to Haves

• Experience working in fintech, financial services, payments, or another regulated industry
• Experience with distributed systems, cloud-native architectures, Kafka, gRPC, or similar backend technologies
• Experience building reliable backend services, APIs, or platform software
• Experience modernizing existing systems or building new backend platforms
• Ability to collaborate effectively across Product, Compliance, Operations, and Engineering teams
• Curiosity, adaptability, and a desire to continuously learn new technologies and business domains

Benefits

• Target bonuses
• Equity compensation
• Medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for US employees
• 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
• Supplemental health coverage for Canada
• Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, in line with local requirements
• Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments (duration varies by country)
• Family-centered benefits to support fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support and life-centered resources
• Financial planning tools and a financial concierge service (US only)
• Annual wellness allowance to support physical and emotional well-being and personal development
• Annual productivity allowance to invest in relevant tools and resources
• Team events, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
• Catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City
• Remote work arrangement